Dennis Diehl: Cape Region’s premier Santa

Dennis Diehl may seem like an average passerby throughout the year, but during the holiday season folks in the Cape Region know him as Kris Kringle.

“Santa and I have a love for children in common,” he chuckles. “Children amaze me with their thought process and how easily we can mold what they think and do. It’s a beautiful thing.”

When Diehl first started dressing up as Santa, he wasn’t as authentic as he should have been with his fake beard and plastic boots and belt.

“Very quickly, I knew how smart these little kids were,” he said. “They knew I wasn’t the real Santa, so I had to try harder. I grew my own beard. I bought the leather belts. I realized that I had to really love who Santa is and become as authentic as I could be.”

To help solidify his Santa persona, Diehl joined the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas Organization.

Diehl encourages anyone who wants to become Santa for the holiday to take it seriously and commit to the role.

“You have to know what the popular toys are in the toy industry,” he said. “It surprises me how young the children are when they start asking for iPhones and things that didn’t exist when I was a kid. Electronics are the biggest item after Legos, of course.”

But why did Diehl begin dressing up as Santa?

“When I was a kid, probably 8 or 9, I learned my father was Santa Claus,” Diehl recalled. “When I found out that he was Santa, I was shocked. He told me that if I always believed in the spirit that when I grew up I could be Santa, too.”

Diehl did not realize until he was around 60 that the Christmas spirit is in him, just as his father said it would be.

“It was in my father, and it’s in me,” said Diehl. Having the spirit is what makes me a good Santa Claus.”

Shortly after chatting with Diehl, I sat down with the Jolly Ol’ Elf.

Are you ready for Christmas this year, Santa?

Santa: I’m getting ready! There’s a lot to do to keep myself ready for the holidays. I’m the most recognizable person in the world, so it’s not like I can get through my day without being recognized. It’s kind of tough to get my own work done. Thankfully, I have a time warp that allows me to get all the toys made and everything ready at night. Then the next day, I’m back ready to go.

We heard that your elves are scattered all over the Cape Region, what are they telling you about the children in our area?

Santa: We’re really lucky here in the Cape Region. The kids are very good! They respect their parents and do well in school. We have very few kids that really need to get off the Naughty List. Those who do need to improve, generally do before Christmas arrives.

Do you love living at the beach because the North Pole is so cold?

Santa: Yes! I love coming to Rehoboth Beach when I’m not working. I try to spend all of my time here because it’s such a beautiful and relaxing place. It’s not nearly as cold as the North Pole!

How do the reindeer like the beach?

Santa: The reindeer don’t like it here, to tell you the truth. There’s not enough greenery on the beach. When I’m here, I have to leave them in a secret place off of Route 1 where there is a lot for them to eat.

How long did it take to grow your beard?

Santa: It’s taken 230 years to grow my beard.

What are your favorite kinds of cookies?

Santa: Oh, I love chocolate chip cookies. They have always been my favorite. I’m very simple.

Could you tell us something people may not know about Santa Claus?

Santa: Gosh. Everyone knows everything about me. I do have a pet reindeer named Olivia. I call her Olive. She’s in one of my songs when they sing, ‘Olive the other reindeer…’ you know the one!

Is there anything else you’d like to add, Santa?

Santa: God bless all the children of the world.